Thursday, July 3, 2008

Happy Fourth of July

To All My Family and Friends Who Celebrate Independence Day,

I wanted to wish you all A Very Happy Fourth of July.

I came to this country all those years ago and have grown to love you. I have been fortunate enough to travel its four corners and many places in between. Today I think of all those brave immigrants who ventured here long ago. I have listened to incredible stories that were better than any movie. Gregg's Dad's family came from Norway and his Mother's family came from England and France. They went through so much and this family history will be passed down from generation to generation.

I found the following to share.

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I Hear America Singing

Walt Whitman

I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear,

Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong,

The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam,

The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work,

The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat,

The deck-hand singing on the steamboat deck,

The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands,

The woodcutter's song, the ploughboy's on his way in the morning,

Or at noon intermission or at sundown,

The delicious singing of the mother,or of the young wife at work,

Or of the girl sewing or washing,

Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else,

The day what belongs to the day—at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly,